Salted Wound

Chapter 14 Anastacia- Sep 8, 2018

I pull into the driveway and I reach behind the seat to grab my bag.

    "So, this was fun," Zamari says. I chuckle and look at the backseat and see Julian and Amari still playing the game on my phone.

    "Let's go, Julian," I say and he looks up.

    "Can Amari stay for a while?" He asks, voice clear and full of excitement. I laugh and turn to Zamari.

    "Do you guys want to come in?" I ask.

    "I don't want to intrude,"

    "No worries, I'm sure the house is clean and we can have dinner," I say and he looks back to Amari.

    "What do you say, Amari?" But before Zamari finishes his question Amari is out of the car seat and grabbing his stuff.

    "Well, that answers the question," I smile and watch Julian and Amari grab their stuff and jump out of the car. Amari looks like a perfect image of Zamari if he were 6.

    I climb out of the car and go up the driveway. The outside of the house is like a forest. Green plants thrive up against the wall and hundreds of colorful flowers fill the little garden space mom made. An oak tree gives shade to the patch of grass that lays by the pavement. It's perfectly cut and shines a bright green. A few butterflies fly around the garden then flutter towards our heads. Zamari ducks and looks back at the butterfly.

"I think I saw Tinkerbell fly somewhere in there," he teases and I let out a soft giggle.

I walk towards the door and pull out my key and throw the door open. The living room is exactly how I left it, spotless. I walk inside and let the rest of the mob enter the house. Zamari and Amari look around and it seems like they've entered into a different planet.

"Home sweet home," I mutter under my breath and walk towards the kitchen. It seems quiet, so it probably means mom's not home.

"If you guys want to sit on the couch, that's fine, I'm just gonna go change. Julian, put something on the tv," I order and make my way down the hallway. I turn the corner and bump into Estrella in a tank top and sweats.

"Hey, your home!" She says with joy in her voice. That's new.

"Yup, Julian had a lot of fun with Zamari's brother and we invited them over for dinner. Maybe we can make burgers?" I say, hoping it'll appetize her. Her mouth does this twist and I know she's thinking. After a few seconds, she replies, "Yeah, burgers sound good. Do we have all the stuff for it?"

"We have lettuce, tomato, cheese, and ketchup. Probably bacon, but I have to check," I answer. "Where's mom right now?"

"I think she went to the store. Call her to bring the buns and patties,"

"Okay, I will. Can you go over there and talk to them while I change? I feel sweaty and gross. I need new clothes," I gesture my now dirty uniform and she rolls her eyes.

"Now where's Luis?" She jokes and I playfully slap her shoulder.

"He wouldn't get mad. Would he?" I cross my arms.

"He punched Luis in the face and Luis thought you were cheating on him with this guy. So probably," she answers with a shrug.

"It's fine. I'll deal with him later. Zamari is just a friend. He's not even my type," I answer and she snorts.

"Whatever. Just hurry up and change. I'm sure Florida can smell you." She starts making her way down the hall.

"Very funny!" I call out. Well at least I know she hasn't lost her sense of humor.